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Rose Heichelbech

Some of these tips go back as far as the pioneer times while others are a bit newer and come from the golden era of homemaking: the 1950s. But, these simple tricks made a lot of women’s lives easier. Simple and cheap, these households and kitchen tips have helped solve or prevent many an issue in the kitchen and beyond. Check out these old-fashioned tricks for a better home.

Shortening Shortcut

To save from wasting shortening use the water method for measuring it out. For example, to get 1/2 cup shortening start with 1/2 cup water and drop spoonfuls of shortening in until the water level reaches 1 cup, then drain the water off.

Insect Repellent

Pennyroyal was used as an insect repellent since pioneer days and beyond. They planted it around the foundation of the home and in window boxes to keep rats, roaches, and flying insects away. They would also use the cuttings hung upside down from the rafters, sometimes in a bouquet with mint and other herbs, to keep the flies at bay inside their homes.